Eliminating AM radio in vehicles would hurt Christian broadcasters

April 14, 2025

The National Association of Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is part of a coalition of concerned parties speaking out in defense of new cars maintaining the ability to receive AM broadcasts.

The Christian Post reports that a number of vehicle manufacturers have opted to exclude AM radio from their newer model vehicles, especially electric vehicles, over concerns about electromagnetic interference.

The NRB, along with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are backing a bill being pushed by Sens. Ted Cruz, (R-TX, and Ed Markey, (D-MA) called the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

The proposed legislation seeks to ensure that all new cars maintain the ability to receive AM broadcasts to preserve an important medium of communication for older adults.

In an op-ed published on Newsmax, NRB Chairman Troy Miller framed the issue as more than just technological modernization, saying, “The attempt to remove AM radio from new vehicles isn’t about retiring outdated technology; it’s about determining who controls the flow of information inside our cars.”

In a letter to legislators, AARP’s senior vice president of government affairs, Bill Sweeney noted that, “older adults are the most exposed to these events. In these situations, AM radio is a critical element of the emergency response system. They need every communication channel possible to ensure their safety.”

According to the Christian Post, without AM radio available in vehicles, millions of people could find themselves without real time access to alerts about fires, hurricanes and floods.

Even with the rise of digital media like streaming audio and podcasts, 2023 Nielsen ratings data shows that 93% of adults listen to the radio monthly with 1 in 3 listeners tuning in AM stations and 74% listening in their vehicles.

Fayra Castro, president of the Glocal Communicators Association, expressed concern for the Hispanic community and Christian media, saying, “Defending AM radio means defending the right to be informed, connected and represented.”

Photo: top, Credit: iStock/Samuel Perales Carrasco